Resources for Chinese Students

These are very brief descriptions and do not take into consideration the specific attributes of each resource; please stop by the Language Learning Center where our staff will be able to assist, or email us at llc@willamette.edu.

Online Dictionaries

nciku.com - The “Dictionary” tab on WISE, will take you to the website. This website is probably the most useful online Chinese dictionary. Not only is it a good dictionary, but it also allows you to look up characters by writing them with your mouse. As you can easily figure out, this is much more efficient than looking them up by radicals.

youdao.com - An amazingly large dictionary that contains just about every word you can imagine. Almost any search query will bring back around 3 to 5 results that are categorized into their parts of speech. If you copy and paste the character you found back into the search bar, then you can figure out which one has the proper meaning you are looking for.

Reading

PopJisyo and Rikai.com allow you to surf Chinese web pages with a study tool that will translate the text you put the mouse over. With Adso, copy and paste Chinese text and the site will dissect and explain the text for you.

Vocabulary

Quizlet.com -Quizlet is a flashcard website where users may either create their own flashcards or choose from millions of other sets already created. There are several ways to study your flashcards, including multiple choice tests or study games. You can even add images or listen to audio files for individual words. It is easy to create and share material and Quizlet is good for studying almost any subject!

Listening Comprehension

Chinesepod.com - You can listen to audio lessons for all levels to improve your listening comprehension. There are transcripts that correspond to the lessons so you can read the dialogue as you listen. There is mouseover translation and pronunciation help as well. This is a great resource for help on homework and for independent learning!

Writing

Chinese-tools.com - You don’t have to worry about downloading software to type Chinese with this site! Under the tab “TOOLS” press Chinese editor and you can type pinyin to write Chinese characters. This is a very helpful writing tool. This site also has a dictionary, vocabulary lists and mouse-over translation for news in Chinese!

Speaking

Tutoring - Get essay help, ask grammar questions and practice your language skills with native Chinese speakers! Click “Sign-up” on the left side of WISE to schedule an appointment with your language assistant.

Mixxer - Through Skype, you can be matched up with a native speaker, who is also interested in learning English. Don’t stress, you’re both sharing and learning!

Keyboard

The LLC at Willamette University, in the World Languages Studio of the first floor of Ford, is a mac lab with 18 macs, and 10 PC laptops.

Typing in Chinese

(For a Microsoft WordEnglish (United States) Keyboard)

Select Chinese (PRC) from the bottom right side of the toolbar menu.

In the language menu bar, click on Context menu and select properties to check
the settings for Simplified Chinese IME . It is recommended to select sentence
mode, full pinyin, and incomplete choices. Leaning and user-defined phrase
should be enabled.

Type pinyin in a sentence. The computer will automatically select characters.
The underlined sentence means choices are available. Press enter to confirm the
correct choice.

Press the shift key to switch from Chinese and English input.

Press ctrl+space to switch between the Chinese keyboard and English keyboard.